Living in Decatur, Georgia

Decatur is one of the most popular intown communities in the Atlanta metro. It frequently wins or ranks near the top for best cities to live in Georgia due to its combination of small-town vibe with a walkable, social, and culturally active downtown. It has historic neighborhoods with beautiful southern homes and a legitimate food and arts scene. The city also has a strong civic identity, and residents are active in local events, schools, and neighborhood associations. Its proximity to Atlanta, plus its own MARTA stations, makes it ideal for those who want both local character and easy access to the broader metro.

Decatur’s lifestyle blends old and new. Historic homes with big front porches sit alongside modern townhomes and apartments. Downtown Decatur is the hub for local get-togethers and entertainment. It's filled with independent restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and public art. Parks like Glenlake and McKoy provide green space for recreation, and the city’s calendar is filled with events—Decatur Arts Festival, Oakhurst Porchfest, and the Decatur Book Festival, to name a few. Neighborhoods like Oakhurst, Winnona Park, and Decatur Heights each have their own feel, but all share a walkable, connected community vibe.

To see what locals do for fun, check out the Decatur Calendar of Events.

We highly recommend visiting Fairfax and staying in the community at a VRBO instead of a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can also receive discounted fares on travel through our partnership with Expedia.

Many Decatur residents commute into Atlanta’s job centers of Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead—via MARTA’s Blue Line. Or find ways to take quick drives on surface streets. Locally, Decatur is home to small businesses, law firms, medical practices, and creative agencies. Emory University and the CDC are nearby major employers, just outside the city limits. The area is also attractive for remote and hybrid workers, thanks to its overindexing coffee shop culture and strong local amenities that make it fun to stay in town.